Vulnerable Client Solicitor

A little bit about us:

EMG Solicitors is an award winning Legal 500 law firm with offices across the North but acting nationally, specialising in Court of Protection, Deputyships, Mental Health Law, Family Law and Mediation, Residential Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Education Law and Wills, Trusts & Probate services.

Our mission is to provide the legal support our clients require in order to achieve anything from their basic needs to their wildest dreams and everything in between.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced solicitor in private client work to specialise in cases involving vulnerable clients, including those lacking capacity or with protected needs.

Where will you be based?

This role can be based at any of our offices across the UK. From time to time, we would expect you to travel to and work from other locations as part of the role.

How many hours will you be working?

This role is offered on a full-time basis of 35 hours per week, but at EMG Solicitors we work flexibly. It's not a strict 9 to 5, and we're open to discussing part-time arrangements. What matters most is that the work gets done, with hours shaped around you, your Team Leader, and the needs of your clients

A brief overview of the role:

This role sits within our Wills, Trusts and Probate team. You will manage your own caseload with a focus on supporting vulnerable clients with wills, trusts, and deputyship matters, including gift and Personal Injury trust applications. You will provide guidance on protecting beneficiaries and liaise with the in-house Court of Protection team as needed.

What will we expect from you:

Generating work

Your work will come from a mixture of delegation and work you will generate for yourself.

We encourage all our team members to win work, which can be achieved in a variety of ways, including:

• Becoming known as a go-to specialist in a field, including writing articles and speaking at events, both external and internal.
• Attending networking events and flying the EMG Solicitors flag.
• Developing relationships on a one-to-one basis.

Each of these methods is equally valid and we will support you in not only making a plan which works for you and the firm but also providing you with any additional training you may need to help you with this aspect of your role.

Undertaking work

You should be passionate about providing:

• Support to your colleagues.
• To undertake your duties professionally and with the utmost skill and care.
• To always put clients first and respect their confidentiality at all times.

We take the view we stand and fall as a team – you will need to work both on your own and as part of a team.

Getting paid for the work you do.

In this role, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality, chargeable work across a broad range of matters involving vulnerable clients. This will include:

• Preparation of statutory Wills for clients who lack testamentary capacity, ensuring their wishes are properly represented and compliant with legal requirements.
• Drafting and submitting gift applications to the Court of Protection, including advising on eligibility, documentation, and supporting evidence.
• Managing lay deputyship applications, guiding families and carers through the process of obtaining authority to act on behalf of vulnerable individuals.
• Providing advice on Personal Injury trusts and drafting appropriate documentation to protect damages awards and maintain client's entitlements to benefits.
• Advising on trust structures and preparing trust deeds, with a particular emphasis on protecting the interests of vulnerable or dependant beneficiaries.
• Ongoing administration of trusts, including liaising with trustees, beneficiaries, and financial advisors to ensure effective management.
• Working closely with the in-house Court of Protection team to progress matters efficiently and deliver a joined-up service for clients.

To be able to perform this job you will need.

• As far as qualifications go you will need to be a fully qualified solicitor with around three to five years post qualification experience in Private Client work.
• Practical experience advising and acting for vulnerable clients, including those lacking capacity.
• Knowledge and experience of preparing statutory Wills, deputyship applications, and gift applications.
• Experience advising on and administering trusts, including Personal Injury trusts and those for vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Strong technical knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex matters clearly and sensitively.
• Strong client care skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with clients, families, and carers.
• The ability to manage a varied caseload independently while maintaining attention to detail.
• A collaborative approach, working effectively with colleagues and other professionals.
• A proactive attitude towards continuous learning and keeping up to date with developments in this area of law.

A little bit about the colleague we're looking for:

We're looking for a colleague who aligns with our core values of:

• Cooperation
• we proactively support our clients and each other.
• Courage
• we are ambitious and think big.
• Excellence
• we deliver excellence.
• Integrity
• we are open and transparent.
• Kindness
• we value people, communities, having fun and being happy.

We want someone who will work proactively to deliver exceptional client service through the knowledge and skills they bring to the role. We want someone who will go the extra mile for both their clients and their colleagues, so we can all achieve anything from our basic needs to our wildest dreams and everything in between.

What you can expect from us:

• Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary
• 4% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life
• 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas
• 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary – (and every 5 years thereafter)
• Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3x salary death in service benefit
• Employee Assistance Program – a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline
• Free annual flu injection
• EMG Rewards – Vivup well-being & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers & restaurants
• £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish
• £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme
• Fruit and refreshments in each office
• If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people
• Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Better Health at Work Team, Justice, Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion Team (JEDI) & our Community Team
• Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about. Includes regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics

EMG Solicitors are an equal opportunities employer.

To apply for this role, you must have the right to work within the UK.